Life + Culture

The Last Tobacco Farms of Missouri

Every tobacco plant for Missouri's remaining eight tobacco farms starts off in Lennie Callaway's greenhouse Article and Photography by Katie Currid The birth of tobacco farming in Weston is usually recognized as 1894. Many people who settled Weston at this time were from Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia. As they settled the Missouri River Valley, they brought with them the crop they knew best, establishing the only tobacco market west of the Mississippi River throughout the state. Throughout...

Travel

Wild Things

Legends of Bigfoot and other mysterious creatures across the Northland and beyond Article by Diana Lambdin Meyer | Photography by Bruce N. Meyer A mystery hides in the rolling hills of Clay County surrounding Smithville Lake. Clues can be found off County Road W in the little community of Paradise. The footprints in the parking lot. The shadowy figure. And, oh, the smell. The smell, actually, is more of an aroma leading to one of the best hamburgers in the Northland cooking up on the grill...

Home + Design

A Place For Lost Things

The origin story of Leavenworth’s Krasnesky Manor for Wayward Cats Article by Thad Krasnesky | Photography by Arin Yoon Somewhere not quite over the rainbow, not completely in this state or in that one, with one foot in a town on the Missouri River and one foot perhaps in Narnia or maybe in Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory, sits a Victorian mansion that is beginning to reawaken. For years it was abandoned — lost, in plain sight, as only enchanted things have the capability of being. And as with...

Education

Teachers who work together succeed together!

As an independent private school, Oakhill Day School has the freedom to give teachers autonomy so they can work together to ensure each student becomes their best self. They work across grade levels to plan lessons as a team, putting their heads together and coming up with new ideas. The focus is on collaboration between one another so they can create a learning environment that is both inspiring and welcoming.Several of these caring teachers shared their thoughts on this positive concept...

Food + Beverage

Kansas City's signature cocktail 

Article by Holly Twaddell The Horsefeather is sweet 'with a little heat' cocktail that is perfect for anyone! The Horsefeather is a midwestern whiskey-based twist on the classic moscow mule. Let’s talk about this KC favorite, how it became what it is today, and how to easily mix up your own.  So where does this Kansas City cocktail story start? Most mixologists agree it is from a combination of three origin stories:  There was a recipe published in The Kansas City Journal in 1898, that called...

Food + Beverage

A Winter Wonderland Awaits at Chicken N Pickle

Article by Lauren Powers As the temperatures drop and the festive spirit fills the air, Chicken N Pickle invites you to experience the magic of the holiday season at their North Kansas City and South Johnson County locations. This year, visitors can immerse themselves in a winter wonderland filled with unique holiday-themed activities, cozy igloos, and more, making it the perfect destination for family gatherings, date nights, and holiday celebrations. Both Chicken N Pickle locations will...

Food + Beverage

A Taste of Home

European bakery Burek & Cake is getting noticed for its traditional Bosnian treats Article by Reilly Atkins | Photography by Hannah Schreiner Fatima Hodzic never planned to open a bakery, but it had been a quiet dream for decades.  Fatima grew up in Bosnia, the child of a father who died in the war. She and her mom were close, and spent time together baking to feed the family. They made breads and sweets, but what they baked the most was burek, a savory pastry of rolled phyllo dough filled...

Food + Beverage

Eat & Play

A round-up of Northland eateries where the restaurant is the activity! Article by Katie Currid There are restaurants, and then there are activities. But if you’re planning a night with friends, a date night, or a family night out (or you just don’t want to cook dinner!), sometimes planning both a restaurant and something to do afterward can feel like a military operation. Maybe you’re looking to keep the kids entertained so you can say one sentence without being interrupted, or the idea of...

Food + Beverage

Family Flavors

Mission’s Thai Orchid expands to the Northland Article and Photography by Katie Currid Jonathan Rojjanasrirat grew up at Thai Orchid. He has memories as a kid from the Thai restaurant that his family ran, later working his first jobs there as a dishwasher, bus boy and server. Now he’s the owner, taking over part of his family’s legacy, and he’s got big plans.  The restaurant was one of the first Thai restaurants in Kansas City in the early 1990s, and his aunt, uncle and mom took it over in...

Travel

Feast in the Forest

What to cook on your next camping adventure, plus Northland spots to pitch a tent Article and Photography by Gilbert Randolph It’s finally fall, which the best season for campfires, s’mores and outdoors adventures. If you’re looking to spend more quality time outside this season, here are some tips on where you can camp around the Northland, a few affordable items that will improve your experience and a few campfire-friendly recipes as well! Places to Camp If you’re looking for a camp spot...